Licensors Offer Sandy Relief

Top companies and retailers in the licensing community have stepped up to aide in Superstorm Sandy relief efforts now taking place along the hard struck East Coast.

The following organizations had pledged their support:

Disney and Disney/ABC Television: The Walt Disney Company announced a $2 million cash commitment Thursday with $1 million for the American Red Cross and another $1 million designated for rebuilding efforts. The Disney/ABC Television Group also designated today as a Day of Giving across its network and syndicated programming with messaging all day to encourage viewers to help.

Viacom: Viacom will donate $500,000 to the Mayor's Fund for NYC, $500,000 to local organizations for relief and rebuilding efforts and has set up a $1 million employee matching-gift program to benefit The American Red Cross.

NBC Universal: The network hosted a telethon Friday to raise relief funds. Called “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together,” the event was hosted by Jimmy Fallon and Brian Williams and featured performances from Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Christina Aguilera.

Hasbro: The Hasbro Children’s Fund has donated $50,000 to the Red Cross, $25,000 to World Vision and $25,000 to Feeding America for a combined total of $100,000 in cash donations. The toy company also donated more than 10,000 games to shelters along the East Coast.

Coca-Cola: The beverage company pledged $1 million to provide food, shelter and aid in long-term rebuilding efforts. Additionally, Coke’s Northeast Region Team is providing donated beverages and other products throughout the recovery period.

NBA and NFL: Both sports leagues donated $1 million each to various relief organizations including the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, New York Cares and Jersey Cares, and also ran messages to promote donations from viewers during recent games.

Kellogg: The company has donated $500,000 in cash and food, as well as two semi-trucks full of its cereal and snacks (retail value of $100,000) given to Feeding America to help with relief and recovery efforts in New York.

Toys ‘R’ Us: The Toys ‘R’ Us Children’s Fund will make a $500,000 donation to Save the Children to help distribute hygiene kits, diapers, baby wipes and other items to children and families in evacuation shelters.

Other major retailers announced similar donations including Target ($425,000 to the Red Cross, $50,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 in gift cards to local Target stores to help with community needs), Kohl’s ($1 million to the Red Cross as well as corporate grants to nonprofit organizations where Kohl's associates volunteer through the retailer’s Associates in Action program), Walgreens ($250,000 to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and three truckloads of bottled water to New Brunswick, N.J., with stores in the affected region donating merchandise in response to community requests) and Rite Aid ($100,000 to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund).